Here's How Much It Really Costs To Repair Your Sliding Glass Doors

A sliding glass door is one of the things around your home you don't think twice about until it stops working properly. These glass doors typically feature two sides, one of which opens and closes while the other remains stationary. Most don't have numerous mechanical components or tricky designs, but they can wear down or become damaged over time. Some tasks warrant a full replacement of the door, including shattered or cracked glass that damages the framing or significant warping making opening, closing, and securing the door difficult. One of the many important factors to consider is the cost to repair your door.

You may be able to repair other problems especially if you're handy. The sliding glass door repair cost depends on the underlying problem, your location, and any customizations made to the door in the past, such as the addition of smart devices, doggy doors, or intricate molding. If you need to call a door repair team out instead of doing the work yourself, that could increase the cost. Most often, door repairs range in price from as little as $50 to $100. Sliding door replacement may cost between $300 and $4,000, depending on the work involved and the door you choose.

Sliding glass door repair costs typically come down to what the underlying problem is. If you can skip the $45 to $75 per hour average labor cost, that's going to help you save money on this project. The more extensive the repair, the higher the likelihood you'll need a professional.

Some projects, like fixing a scratch on the door, may cost $50 to $125, depending on if the glass or the door frame has damage. Water coming into the home from the door could indicate the need to replace the seal around the frame. Depending on the repair process, this could range from $100 to $250. Sometimes the repair isn't with the door itself but the wood framing that holds it into place. Over time, water damage can cause this to warp, whereas termites may cause the door to hang. Repairing the damaged frame may cost between $100 and $350. These costs assume you'll hire a professional to help with the project.

Glass replacement may be necessary when chips, cracks, or shattering occurs. The cost depends partly on the pane type with some forms like gas-filled sliding glass door panes likely cost more at $500 or more to replace. Lower-costing glass, like Low-e panes, range in cost from $100 to $500, dependent on the size of the door. If you have tempered glass, costs can start at $1,000 thanks to the super durable design.

The back-and-forth movement of a sliding glass door paired with its weight and perhaps a few slams too hard from the kids can cause the rollers and tracks that support the movement of the door to wear. You may notice they won't slide easily or they may even get stuck. You may need to remove and replace them at a cost of around $110 to $300. Replacing just one panel may be necessary in some situations. If you can find the matching panel, replacing just one component may keep the costs a bit lower, ranging from $400 to $700. Matching with the same manufacturer could be a challenge here. Another potential concern is a loose, broken, or unsecured handle. Replacing this component of the sliding glass door costs around $120 to $250, depending on the manufacturer and type.

Sometimes the repairs just cannot happen, would be too costly, or too labor-intensive to make it worthwhile. In that case, it may be best to replace the sliding glass door instead. The cost to install a sliding door may range from $300 for basic vinyl, single-panel doors up to $4,000 for a large, steel door due to the durability, design, and size. There may be an additional charge for removing and disposing of the old door and for any repairs to the framing. If you can't secure your home and need a professional to come out the same day, expect to pay around $50 to $150 in addition.